The epidemic of food poisoning in South Africa

At the close of 2024, the South African government announced a national disaster due to an outbreak of food-borne illnesses. This outbreak resulted in the devastating loss of over 20 children’s lives and led to the hospitalization of hundreds.

According to investigations conducted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the outbreak was linked to dangerous pesticides like Terbufos and Aldicarb. These chemicals, utilized in agricultural practices, have found their way into the informal market as unregulated “street pesticides” meant for rat control, leading to food contamination.

In reaction, the government implemented several initiatives, including the requirement that all food handling venues, such as informal retailers referred to as spaza shops, register with their local municipalities. Additionally, widespread inspections of these outlets will be initiated to ensure compliance with health regulations and standards.

While these measures represent a positive step forward, based on our research at the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) over recent decades, they may not fully address the needs at hand. Furthermore, certain elements, such as the mandatory registration and mass inspections of food outlets, could face challenges in effective implementation.

The Gauteng City Region encompasses a collection of urban centers that serve as the economic nucleus of South Africa. The Gauteng City-Region Observatory collaborates with the Gauteng provincial government, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, and the Gauteng South African Local Government Association. Since 2008, it has been examining the development dynamics of the area, providing data-driven insights and strategic guidance to foster sustainable development.

While the government’s response to the food-borne illness outbreak tackles the immediate crisis, it does not adequately consider the underlying issues impacting low-income communities.

Research conducted by the GCRO has pinpointed critical factors such as poor infrastructure and services. Rat infestations arise due to ineffective waste management, which in turn is linked to inadequate public services, failing infrastructure, and irregular waste collection.

Additionally, practices like illegal dumping, littering, and burning waste exacerbate public health and environmental hazards, including the spread of disease and pest infestations.

Given this evidence, it is clear that the government’s response does not sufficiently address the root causes of the outbreak, stemming from a lack of contextual understanding. Addressing these systemic issues is not solely a public health concern; it also underscores the challenges faced by these communities and the necessity of bolstering local economies.

Survey findings

The flagship Quality of Life Survey by the GCRO has been conducted every two years since 2009, becoming one of South Africa’s largest social surveys. It evaluates various factors, including socio-economic dynamics, experiences with service delivery, and levels of satisfaction with the government. The survey provides longitudinally comparable data crucial for informed decision-making.

The survey addresses various themes related to the food-borne illness outbreak, including basic services, sources of income, and food security. According to the latest survey (2023/24), access to refuse removal services and general satisfaction with service delivery has diminished in Gauteng.

In the 2023/24 survey, 74% of respondents indicated receiving weekly refuse removal, a decrease from 83% in the 2020/21 period. Satisfaction levels regarding services also fell from 75% to 64% during the same timeframe, revealing troubling trends since 2017/18. Furthermore, the survey highlights that more than half (57%) of businesses in Gauteng operate informally.

Household food insecurity has worsened over the past decade. Over 10% of households experience severe food insecurity, characterized by hunger, limited access to food, and insufficient spending on nutritious food.

Measures to address the crisis

We will now explore three governmental interventions:

Registration of spaza shops

All food handling outlets, including spaza shops, must register with their municipalities from November 2024 until February 2025. This initiative aims to enhance regulatory compliance and monitoring of food safety for consumers. However, achieving this within the outlined timeframe may prove challenging.

Minimum requirements for registering spaza shops encompass (re)zoning certificates or consent use, certificates of acceptability (health standards), approved building plans, registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, and clear tax records. Many of these businesses operate outside the formal economy and may not possess the necessary documentation.

Failure to register on time could result in the closure of spaza shops, which would threaten livelihoods and food security, particularly in low-income areas where these shops fulfill a critical role.

For many individuals, spaza shops represent a key source of income and provide essential food items for nearby communities. Households tend to shop there due to their convenience, affordability, extended hours, and availability of credit.

Inspection of food outlets

A campaign targeting inspections of all food handling facilities, especially spaza shops and informal vendors, is currently in motion. Law enforcement plays a crucial role in removing contaminated food from circulation and preventing further outbreaks. However, municipalities face capacity limitations when it comes to executing widespread inspections and ensuring adherence to health regulations.

The outbreak partially stemmed from municipalities’ failure to enforce existing rules. Had inspections been routinely conducted and thorough, food contamination problems would likely have been addressed before the emergence of the current crisis.

Focusing on punitive actions, such as closing businesses and prosecuting owners, does not facilitate compliance or reopening but instead risks harm to the informal economy, mirroring a broader trend of marginalizing the economically disadvantaged.

Joint fund to support township and rural businesses

The government has designated R500 million (approximately US$26 million) to assist township and rural enterprises, including spaza shops. This fund aims to enhance business infrastructure and strengthen capacity.

However, we believe the eligibility criteria warrant reassessment. To qualify, a business owner must be a South African citizen with a registered business in the municipality and valid tax registration. Since most businesses in these areas are informal, they likely won’t meet these conditions, excluding many in need of assistance from the program.

Next steps

The government’s measures in response to the food-borne illness outbreak are focused primarily on the immediate crisis and associated symptoms, neglecting underlying structural components. While formalizing and ensuring compliance among informal businesses may help, it will not address the fundamental issues.

Essential infrastructure and services, including water, sanitation, and waste management systems, remain critical areas requiring attention.

Mamokete Modiba, Researcher, Gauteng City-Region Observatory and Samiksha Singh, Researcher, Gauteng City-Region Observatory

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.